Cell phones in Europe

Tourists in Europe

Can I use my phone in Europe?

Using a phone in Europe is dependent on if your cell phone carrier offers roaming, your cell phone plan and if you have mobile roaming enabled. Most countries in Europe have modern cell phone networks available so as long as you have enabled mobile roaming in your phone settings you will be able to use your cell phone. If your cell phone is unlocked then you can use a local SIM card which will allow much cheaper call, text and data rates than expensive roaming charges.

Can I charge my phone in Europe?

Charging a cell phone in Europe will depend on which country you are visiting as there are a number of different power standards used on the continent.

Select from the following list of countries for full details on the power outlets being used along with recommendations for the appropriate power adapters and instructions for charging specific cell phones, tablets and other travel devices in that destination:

Cell phone chargers for Europe

European Union flag

Do I need a converter for my phone in Europe?

A majority of modern cell phones are charged using a USB cable, therefore all that will be required is a low cost USB charger which is compatible with the local power supply and fits the correct outlet type. You can use your existing charging cable with a USB charger suitable for that country.

Will my phone charger work in Europe?

This depends on where you are travelling from and where you
will be attempting to use the phone in Europe. If the country where the phone
originated from shares the same type of power outlet and voltage as the destination
then the existing phone charger should work. However, this is not without risk as
some countries are susceptible to an unstable power grid which can create damaging
fluctuations in power.

What are the dangers of using the wrong mobile phone charger in Europe?

It can be a costly mistake for travellers to assume their domestic charger will work abroad even though the wall outlet looks like it will accommodate it. There is a risk that certain countries in Europe use different and unstable voltages with similar shaped yet incompatible power outlets to the ones from their home country. Fluctuations in voltages have the potential to permanently damage chargers and delicate phone circuitry from power surges, while loose fitting plug pins with poor connections can cause sparking. Using a 2 pin plug in a similar sized 3 pin power outlet may appear to work however there is no earth connection leaving the phone ungrounded and further prone to surges.

With the reliance of smartphones being used for holiday photos, emails and social media the inconvenience of being abroad without a phone might spell disaster for some vacation and business trips. Repairing or replacing a cell phone whilst abroad can prove costly therefore it is better to purchase a dedicated 4 port USB travel charger[1] which includes voltage surge protection and swappable heads designed specifically for multiple countries during both European and worldwide travel.

How do I charge a phone in Europe?

Although a dedicated single Type C power adapter[2] or Type F power adapter[3] should allow you to use your mobile phone charger in a majority of countries in Europe a dedicated 4 port USB travel charger[1] is more suitable for travel as it includes swappable plug heads for multiple countries, protects mobile phones from power surges and will supports charging multiple USB ports. By using a power adapter which charges devices simultaneously means travellers can charge their mobile phones, tablets, e-readers and other USB devices from a single outlet with only one adapter to pack in their luggage.

How to call the US from Europe

There are three steps to calling America from Europe:

If calling from a regular landline dial 00 (which is Europe's international access code)

If calling from a mobile phone enter + (hold down the 0 button until the + appears to enter this from an iPhone)

Then dial 1 (which is the country code for the US)

Then dial the area code and phone number

For example to call the US number 206-666-4463 from a European country would be 00-1-206-666-4463 from a landline, payphone or hotel phone. If calling this example telephone number using a mobile use dial +1-206-666-4463.

Power outlets in Europe

What plug sockets are used in Europe?

There are 8 different types of plug sockets used throughout Europe - these are types C, D, E, F, G, J, K and L. Please note that some countries may use multiple plug socket types depending on the region so it is recommended to either purchase multiple power adapters or a purchase single travel adapter which is suitable for use in multiple countries:

Due to the higher voltage and wattage required to power a hairdryer a basic plug adapter is unsuitable and could present a fire hazard if used in conjunction with a hair dryer; for example an American 110 volt hair dryer will be overloaded when used in a European country with 220+ volt power outlet. A larger and more expensive heavy duty power converter[5] is required to use your own hairdryer in Europe however these heavier units are more suited for use with domestic appliances and too cumbersome for travel.

Travellers looking for convenience should buy a dual voltage hair dryer[4] suitable for Europe which will be lighter, smaller and cheaper than purchasing a step up or step down power transformer for use with their own hairdryer. This also takes away the uncertainty away from worrying where to buy a hair dryer in Europe whilst on vacation, if European hotels have hair dryers in rooms or having to borrow a single shared hair dryer from a hotel reception.

When searching to purchase a dual voltage hairdryer suitable for Europe we recommend looking for a model which offers a switchable voltage between 125 volts to 250 volts which has a collapsible handle. By using a dual voltage hair dryer in conjunction with a country specific plug this will allow a traveller to dry their hair safely in a wide range of locations whilst folding conveniently into carry-on luggage.

Transport in Europe

What is the cheapest airport to fly into in Europe?

Depending on the departure city the cheapest non-stop flight from the US to Europe is Copenhagen in Denmark. Based on research from a 2016 Price Of Travel article[7] the following cities are the top 10 cheapest European country to fly into in 2016:

Copenhagen - Denmark

Moscow - Russia

Stockholm - Sweden

Oslo - Norway

Dublin - Ireland

Istanbul - Turkey

Milan - Italy

Barcelona - Spain

Frankfurt - Germany

London - England

High Air Passenger Duty costs for some airports can be a deterrent for wishing to Europe, these taxes can add a significant amount to an airfare in and out of Europe. With the popularity of budget airlines such as Easyjet and Ryanair along with cheap European rail travel from Europass and Rail Europe it can be cheaper to travel to one of these airports then take an internal flight or train to your final destination.

Tourists in Europe

How to travel Europe by train

Europe contains over 35 separate rail networks spanning across different countries, these include the Eurostar network which connects the UK to the rest of the continent and allows passengers to get from London to Paris around two hours through the Channel Tunnel. When travelling to a single country it is possible to book individual e-Tickets online direct with on rail network website or at the station.

When travelling across borders a service such as Rail Europe[8] will allow customers to book itineraries online spanning multiple countries and rail networks, the rise of these types of booking sites has made it easy for travellers to visit a wide range of destinations in Europe.

A more flexible option for travelling across Europe without being tied to specific dates is to purchase a Eurail pass which allows visitors to travel across countries with an open ticket.

How much is a Europass?

At the time of writing (July 2016) there are 3 different passes available at the following rates:

Global pass - from €300 - for 5+ European countries

Select pass - from €130 - for up to 4 European countries

One Country Pass - from €60 - for one country, valid for 1 month

Tickets are available to buy online from Eurail[9], passes can be delivered to European addresses or in advance to US addresses.

Can I buy Rail Europe tickets at the station?

You can buy selected Eurail passes at the certain stations however it can be an average of 20% cheaper to order Eurail tickets online. Passes can be delivered to European addresses or your home country, it is recommended and safest to book well in advance and ship to your home address. It is not possible however to order a Eurail pass online and pay at the station. For more details see the Rail Europe help page[10].

Can I buy a rail pass in Europe?

Eurail passes can be delivered to residential and business addresses in Europe. Provided there is enough time for delivery you can order European rail tickets online and have them delivered to a hotel or hostel whilst travelling.

Can I buy Eurostar tickets on the station?

Subject to availability you can purchase walk-up fares, however these are likely to be more expensive. Eurostar offers 3 options for tickets:

Book online and print out a paper ticket - this is the recommend option

Book online and collect paper tickets at the station ticket desk or self service machines - this might take longer during peak hours

Use a mobile ticket using the iOS or Android Eurostar App, alternatively use the iPhone Passbook App - mobile tickets must be purchased at least 48 hours before departure and are only valid when booking for single person bookings.

Money in Europe

Tourists in Europe

Where can I buy Euros from?

You can buy euros in cash from banks, building societies, foreign exchange bureaus in the high street and at airports and the post office.

What denominations do Euros come in?

There are 7 denominations of Euros which are available in €500, €200, €100, €50, €20, €10 and €5 Euro notes.

Can I buy Euros at any bank?

Euros are available to exchange in banks in Europe. Depending on the country and bank you should be able to exchange Euros from other currencies over the counter or using a card in an ATM. Some banks might require identification so it is recommended to bring a passport when exchanging cash.

How do I convert dollars to Euros?

A site such as the XE Currency Converter[11] will enable you to convert dollars to Euros and back. Having an exchange rate calculator when travelling aboard can be useful to have on your phone, XE also have an app available for iOS and Android devices. The XE app also works offline meaning prior to travelling you can sync up with the latest exchange rates and have a general idea as to the dollar value of any transactions you make abroad without using any data roaming charges.

Can I buy Euros with a credit card?

Yes, however there will be fees. Check with your credit card provider for more details.

European languages

What is the most spoken language in Europe?

English is the most widely spoken language in the EU, according to the Languages of the European Union WikiPedia page[15] this is understood by 51% of adults. The second most used is German although English and French are considered the 2 most common working languages.

How many different languages are spoken in Europe?

The are 23 officially recognised languages in Europe with over 60 indigenous regional and minority languages.

What is Northern Europe?

The countries which are considered to comprise Northern Europe are Iceland, Ireland, The UK, The Faroe Islands, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

What countries are not in the European Union?

The European countries that aren't part of the European Union include Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Albania, Switzerland, Turkey, Russia, Macedonia and Montenegro. The 2016 Brexit campaign saw The United Kingdom voting to exit the European Union although no specific date has been set yet.